Bundaberg flood study report outlines options for community safety

Technical reports of the Bundaberg Flood Protection Study have been released today highlighting four flood mitigation options that will form the basis of a 10 year action plan to improve the safety of the Bundaberg community.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Jackie Trad said extensive community feedback had guided the experts to the most viable options to improve flood resilience in Bundaberg.

“The Palaszczuk Government is listening to the Bundaberg community and these reports have identified four options that we will consider in the 10 year action plan,” Ms Trad said.

“The options include improved evacuation routes for North Bundaberg, an East Bundaberg levee, better access for outlying communities and the possibility of a voluntary floodway house purchase or land-swap scheme.

“The report goes on to confirm that there is not one single option that will address all the impacts of flooding for Bundaberg.”

Member for Bundaberg Leanne Donaldson said that the reports were an important step forward in the study.

“These reports really give us a clear blueprint of the way forward and highlight what we can do to make sure Bundaberg is resilient,” Ms Donaldson said.

“We’ve seen the community really get on board and come together to look at these options and I’m looking forward to this continuing as we work toward developing the 10 year action plan.”

The Palaszczuk Government engaged internationally recognised engineering firm Jacobs to conduct the independent Bundaberg Flood Protection Study, which includes reviewing previous flood studies, floodplain risk management plans and the community consultation.

While no decisions have been made about any of the recommended options, the projects which will form the basis of the 10 year action plan are;

• Bundaberg North evacuation route improvements to give a large number of residents better access and reduce reliance on emergency services in Bundaberg North and Gooburrum.
• Bundaberg East levee to provide a moderate to high reduction in flood risk for a large part of Bundaberg East, South and parts of the CBD. It would save $38 million in damage.
• Upper floodplain evacuation improvements would stop being cut off for the Goodnight Scrub, Morganville, Pine Creek, Givelda and Electra areas
• Floodway house purchase scheme for the voluntary purchase or relocation through a land-swap of select residential blocks in Bundaberg North that are deemed to be in a floodway with high depths and velocities.

To view the Flood Mitigation Options Assessment Report and community consultation report visit www.qld.gov.au/bundabergfloodstudy  

ENDS

Media contact: Anna Jabour 0429 890 942